Road to Redemption

I stumbled across this gem while late night channel surfing, entering at the scene where Amanda and Nathan take the "detour" which lands them behind a pigeon truck. I'll admit what caught my eye was Julie Condra's beauty, but the story was intriguing because I knew neither how it started nor that it was a Christian film. The bad guys were caricatures, her boyfriend was pathetic, and the medical details poorly researched (hey, I'm a doc - I notice these things!), but it was fun, engaging, and mostly well acted and well written, with a message that did not feel forced or contrived, and with what felt like a natural relationship evolution between Nathan and Amanda through the film.

Perhaps the best evidence that this is a film worth watching: after it ended, I channel surfed a bit more, and came across a Girls Gone Wild adfomercial and VH1 music video. The contrast between the peaceful spirituality of the final scene in R to R and the raucous tawdriness of GGW and VH1 was stunning. I prefer the former. Much more.

A truly enjoyable film for the entire family. A must-see movie with a valuable message of hope. In a very creative and fun way, the movie sets out to show the spiritual road to redemption through the means of a crazy road trip full of mishaps and adventures. A truly refreshing film that makes you feel good and glad that you saw the movie.

"Road to Redemption" is great family viewing material, and it includes the Gospel message! This movie has enough substance that it can be watched over and over. It is entertaining - provoking numerous outbursts of laughter. The conversations between the grandfather and granddaughter are thought provoking, as well as inspiring, giving ideas on how to share Christ with loved ones. The value in this type of film far exceeds the mindless, deceiving garbage that movies usually offer. Although the "Left Behind" movies have an important and necessary message of their own, they aren't suitable for family viewing (for families with pre-teens, that is). "Road to Redemption" is suitable for family viewing, and makes for a great family evening.

Julie Condra gets a hold of some mob money and goes on a spree. But when the syndicate finds out she's forced to flee. Her only hope is her grandfather who has put away a few shekels in his life to give her the money to pay back what she owes. She can only hope they'll forgive her, but these are not known to be forgiving people.

It's a Christian movie put out by the Billy Graham Ministry so expect the usual Christian parameters involved. Pat Hingle plays the grandfather and he's always good. There's an interesting role for Wes Studi an American Indian who has brought his tracking skills to the mob. They do pay well for his services I'm sure.

But if you want to see a really good film about someone who got a hold of syndicate money and is trying to shake them, watch Walter Matthau in Charley Varrick.

Here I am to tell you my opinions on "Road to Redemption". Of all the Christian movies I've seen ("Left Behind", "The Climb" and "The Ride") this is the best one. No one dies and there is no tacky "flash back" that seem to ALWAYS be in Christian movies (*ahem* take note of that please "Climb" and "Ride" script writers) It was a fairly amusing movie not all drama and Billy Grahmn (sp) was BARELY in it! Its a good start for Christian movies, hopefully its the "Keith Green" of Christian movies! =) (By the way: a teacher @ my school always claimed some guy named Keith Green was one of the first Christian singers or something.)